Oil leak

Tiny
JKINARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 DODGE DURANGO
  • 4.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
I recently changed the head gaskets and timing chain. After putting everything back together, I cranked it up and it ran just fine. However, oil began to leak from the engine like a waterfall! I looked underneath the vehicle and it seemed to be coming from the rear top of the engine, but I could not see from exactly where. I went to the top of the engine and put my hand around the back of the engine to try to feel where the leak might be. I felt that the oil was "puddling" under the intake manifold between the heads. Did I miss a step in the re-assembly, did not tighten something at the right torque or has something gone bad like a seal? Why would oil puddle under the intake manifold? Would it leak somewhere from one of the heads. If it was cracked?
Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 AT 9:52 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

It is possible something did not get aligned or you might have a bad gasket.
It can also leak due to not having the old gasket residue completely cleaned.
Did you have overheating issues before the head gasket replacement?
As if the engine overheated it is possible to have wrapped component due to excessive heat.

I have attached the head gasket replacement procedure including the torque specifications and torque sequence below for your reference.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-is-leaking-oil
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Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
JKINARD
  • MEMBER
  • 47 POSTS
Okay, forgive me for the time it took to respond, but I haven't had time to get back to work on my vehicle until now. So, I finally took off the intake manifold off the vehicle and saw where there was oil puddled on top of the engine (under the intake manifold). Where could that have possibly come from and why?
And thank you for your response by the way.
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Friday, March 31st, 2023 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,034 POSTS
It must be a bad gasket on either the intake or valve covers. Can you upload images of the parts/leak in question so we can see what's going on?
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Monday, April 3rd, 2023 AT 11:41 AM

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